Ka 7 und L-Spatz Kollision in der Luft nahe Schafberg, Samedan führt zu zwei Todesfällen

Am 11. Juli 1966 kam es zu einer Kollision in der Luft zwischen einer Ka 7 und einem L-Spatz 55 nahe Schafberg, Samedan, Schweiz. Beide Segelflugzeuge nahmen an einem Segelflug teil, als die Ka 7 abrupt nach links drehte und von hinten mit dem L-Spatz kollidierte. Der Zusammenstoß führte zum Absturz beider Segelflugzeuge, was zur vollständigen Zerstörung der Flugzeuge und zum Tod beider Piloten führte. Die offizielle Untersuchung ergab, dass unzureichende Luftraumüberwachung durch die Ka 7-Piloten die wahrscheinliche Ursache des Unfalls war.

1. Winch launch - soaring: After winch launches from Samedan, the Ka-7 pilot flew ridge/thermal soaring along the Schafberg area during his planned five-hour flight.
2. Limited alpine experience: The Ka-7 pilot, accustomed to flatland flying and with little experience in alpine soaring, was on his first solo flight in the Engadin and had only one prior local dual familiarization flight.
3. Low height over terrain: Both gliders were operating relatively low above the Schafberg slope, with the Spatz in only 'slight' height over the terrain and the collision occurring about 80–100 m above ground.
4. Abrupt left turn: While flying down-valley parallel to the Schafberg slope toward a group of circling gliders, the Ka-7 abruptly banked steeply left away from the ridge toward the valley center, into the path of the Spatz.
5. Inadequate lookout: During or before initiating the abrupt left turn, the Ka-7 pilot failed to adequately monitor the airspace and did not detect the Spatz ahead and below on the new flight path.
6. Rear-end collision: The Ka-7 struck the Spatz from behind with its left wing root, severing part of the Spatz’s left wing and tail and slightly damaging the Ka-7’s left wing, causing both aircraft to enter steep descents.
7. Crash - fatal: Both gliders impacted the Schafberg slope in steep attitudes and were destroyed, and both pilots sustained fatal injuries.